By Michael F. Bird:
The World was Made For Us to Reign Over It
In terms of the biblical narrative, I think it helps if we remember that we are consistently given a picture of God’s intention to make humanity his vice-regents who will reign with him and for him over the world. This was the role of Adam in Eden, Israel in Canaan, and the church in Christ’s kingdom . . . .
What is no less interesting is how two very different texts, both post-70 AD, 4 Ezra and the Shepherd of Hermas, treat creation as made explicitly for them to rule over it.
. . . .In which case, I think it safe to say, that “salvation,” in its eschatological coordinates, has to include the notion of creaturely participation in God’s rule over all things.
Can you imagine the ants, or any other sentient creature, saying that they have concluded that god gave them the responsibility to rule the world as his agents and then to act as if all else exists to be subordinated to them?
Dear Bible Believers, it is time to put away ancient mythology and to understand that we are part of a web of life on a fragile planet. Carrying on as god-ordained supremacists, as if our species is the ultimate “goal” of this universe, is creating the sixth great extinction right now and threatening the very survival of organized human life. Time to face the fact that grass has so far proved itself far more successful in evolutionary terms than intelligent life forms.
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Hey Neil, I can’t say how it is at your house, but the weeds are taking over my yard!.
“Carrying on as god-ordained supremacists” is what gives these people self-empowerment, which then often translates into social, financial, and political empowerment. Why would anyone voluntarily give up such power?
Bird has form
http://www.abc.net.au/religion/articles/2016/06/15/4482272.htm
and https://remnantofgiants.wordpress.com/2017/12/14/michael-bird-jesus-had-multiple-erections-throughout-his-life/
Humans have always had to lie to themselves to mask their insecurity.